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COLONIE, N.Y. -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for an increase in travel volume out of Albany International Airport (ALB) as passenger volume picks up ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend and into the remainder of the summer.   

“We have started to see a significant increase in checkpoint volume here at Albany,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s Federal Security Director for Upstate New York. “Travel volume here is at about 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels and by the Fourth of July weekend it is possible that we may see the checkpoint as busy as or exceeding pre-pandemic levels and travelers need to be aware.”

To ensure the most efficient security screening operation and a good passenger experience at Albany, TSA recommends that travelers be inside the airport terminal at least two hours before their scheduled flight.

The busiest times at the security checkpoint are 5 to 6 a.m. and 4 to 5_ p.m. Travelers should expect to encounter a line at the security checkpoint during those times. The busiest travel days are Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

As more people have gotten vaccinated and have received booster shots to help keep COVID-19 at bay, the pent-up demand for travel has resulted in crowded airports, which means busy security checkpoints. With that in mind, due to the increase in travel volume, this summer may require more patience and planning than was necessary before the pandemic.

TSA recently installed five new state-of-the-art advanced technology computed tomography (CT) scanners that provide 3-D imaging at Albany.

The new equipment provides advanced explosives detection capabilities for screening carry-on items and at the same time is more convenient for travelers because the technology allows passengers to leave their laptops and other electronic devices in their carry-on bags.

Travelers play an important role in ensuring a smooth and efficient security checkpoint screening experience, which starts with knowing what a traveler should and should not pack in a carry-on bag.

Advance planning and packing properly is key to a smooth security checkpoint experience. “We ask travelers to do their part by getting to the airport well before the flight is scheduled to leave and ensuring they follow the rules that TSA provides by making certain they do not have any prohibited items with them at the checkpoint,” Johnson said.

TSA officers are detecting a lot of weapons such as knives and tools larger than 7-inches in carry-on bags in addition to oversized liquids, gels and aerosols. Prohibited items in carry-on bags result in a carry-on bag being pulled from the conveyor belt to be opened and screened by hand so that the TSA officer can identify what triggered the alarm and remove anything that is not permitted through the security checkpoint. These bag searches take two to three minutes each and increases the time a traveler is in the checkpoint.

A box full of prohibited items that travelers have brought to the TSA security checkpoint at Albany International Airport. TSA officers give travelers the choice to re-pack them in a checked bag, return the item to their car, hand them off to a non-traveling companion or voluntarily surrender them to TSA for disposal. (TSA photo)

TSA continues to ask travelers to arrive early and prepared for the screening experience to allow for timely completion of every step of the travel process. To help things go smoothly, please follow these tips:

Listen for guidance from TSA officers. Some people may not have traveled recently, so it is important to listen to the direction provided in the security checkpoint. The officer may be sharing information on the latest technology that will get you through the checkpoint more efficiently.

If you’re in a line at the checkpoint, use that time wisely. Remove items from your pockets and place them inside your carry-on bag instead of placing them in a bin to reduce touchpoints and help ensure personal items are not left behind.

Know before you go! Know what can and cannot go in a carry-on bag from firearms to oversize liquids. Prohibited items result in checkpoint delays. Unsure if an item should be packed in a carry-on bag, checked bag, either or neither? Download the free myTSA app, which has a handy “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or ask us on Twitter or Facebook Messenger at @AskTSA.

Enroll in TSA PreCheck®.  The popular expedited screening program allows travelers to leave on shoes, jackets, belts and enables them to keep their electronics and 3-1-1 bags in their carry-on bags. Due to these benefits, the TSA PreCheck lanes move the quickest. There is a TSA PreCheck enrollment center located inside the Staples store at Northway Mall, 1440 Central Avenue, Albany.

Get medical questions answered. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to flying with any questions about screening policies, procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint as well as arrange for assistance at the checkpoint.

TSA hiring at Albany International Airport

There are currently openings for both full- and part-time positions at Albany International Airport with a starting salary of $18.99 per hour, which includes a current 10 percent retention incentive. TSA offers new employees opportunities for pay increases after six months and is currently offering a $1,000 hiring bonus to individuals who become TSA officers at Albany by the end of September.

TSA is hosting recruitment events that will consist of information tables staffed by TSA officers that will be located on the ground floor in the baggage claim area of the terminal. The recruitment tables will be staffed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 30 and again on July 7, 14, 21 and 28.